Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-24

FOREIGNERS AND CITIZENSHIP.
The joint resolution proposing to
amend article G, section >, of the state
constitution may be expected to evoke
some opposition, and perhaps of siren
uous nature. Briefly stated, the propo-
sition is to strike out the clause permit
ting a foreigner to vote upon his simple
declaration that he intends to become G
citizen. There are those who will con-
tend that the present liberal policy to-
ward foreigners, as to admitting them to
the rights and privileges of citizenship,
ought not to be changed or abridged. 1t
VIII be urged that such policy will be a
governmental blunder, having q tendency
to check the tide of foreign immigration
to Texas, and calculated to create dis
trust and dissatisfaction IN the minds of
foreigners who have already become citi-
zens. Finally, there will no doubt be
the usual amount of sentimental gush
about this country being the refuge Of the
worlds oppressed, ETC., which forms
large part of the stock in trade of GER
tam c.ass of politicians and is SO pop
ular with debating societies. But
thoughtful, practical and we may
add minded citizens, whether they De
native or naturalized, will discern many
meritorious features in Senator Burney's
proposition. For several years, but no.
tably within the last half decade, the
drift of events IN this country has been
of nature to inspire intelligent observ-
ers with the conviction that there is such
thing as being too free and liberal in
dispensi: g the privileges of American
citizenship. THE GAZETTE does not for
moment underestimate the value of our
foreign citizens, especially the thrifty
Germans. These races from foreign
shores have given US thousands of useful,
law-abidiug citizens. They have, as q
rule, prospered in the country of their
adoption, and it is gratifying that such is
the case. But on the other hand, it may
be urged with equal force and truthful
ness that we have been burdened with
class of citizens by adoption who are
not so useful; on the contrary, they are a
menace to public peace and order and
the stability of our institutions. Too
many of them come here imbued with the
spirit of unrest and discomfort they
imbibed in their European homes.
They come, thousands of them,
utterly ignorant of our laws, Gus
toms, aspirations or even our language.
They assume the obligations and acquire
the privileges of citizenship without even
partial conception of what they are
doing, and as result they neglect the
| obligations and abuse the privileges.
The admixture of this foreign element
| above described into the body polite
has rot borne COED fruit. The foreign
ers have preached the propaganda OF
socialism aDd the commune, and COM
municated their unrest to our native
population. Contrast the social agitation
of to-day with even a decade ago and it
will be seen how alarming is the outlook
for the future. THE GAZETTE believes
that as measure of self-defeuse the
acquisition of citizenship should be under
more carefully guarded conditions than
exist now. A foreigner should be re-
quired to reside here long enough to &C.
ouaiOt himself IN an jntellipent eytaot
with the language, laws and customs of